interrupting

present participle of interrupt
as in intruding
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion it's rude to interrupt when someone is making an important point

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of interrupting Can vendors be changed without interrupting critical operations? — Chandini Sheeba, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Yet the final episode opens with another interview segment; those segments keep interrupting the action, which is a bit frustrating but forgivable. — ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026 In January 2024, a landslide above the railroad sent soil and debris crashing onto the tracks at Mariposa Point, destroying the city’s pedestrian bridge and beach trail and temporarily interrupting rail service. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 That same work found interrupting therapy worsened symptoms, which is the clinical reason abrupt stops are what prescribers try hardest to prevent. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026 Contentious debate The debate itself featured tense moments, with audience members interrupting both candidates and Harris engaging in a heated exchange with a woman in the crowd. — Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 The first attempts at a foldable smartphone in the 2010s from other companies tended to be fragile and not all that useful, with a big, ugly crease in the center interrupting the experience. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Levee dances around the stage interrupting others conversations and making everything about himself. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 Oct. 2026 This talks about the brands not interrupting storytelling, but being a part of it. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interrupting
Verb
  • With only two minutes for the family to talk, Seyfried suddenly seems mortified to be intruding.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • These luminous interludes also ease us into the memories of Jay’s father that keep intruding on his predicament.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • His work is autobiographical and based on whatever has been bothering him that year.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • For example, companies that benefit from customers not bothering to cancel subscriptions, compare prices, or search for better deals have taken a beating in recent weeks.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Many African policymakers responded that advanced economies built their wealth on coal and oil, adding that Africa accounts for less than 4% of global carbon emissions.
    — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Kylian Mbappé Real Madrid Forward La Liga also issued an official statement expressing deep regret over the hurt caused to Chinese fans by Mbappé's remarks, adding that his personal views do not represent the Spanish league's position.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • As with the Pattern One, the grip ended in a round top nut, which secured the rat-tail tang to the grip, though the fitting was now done by cutting off the tang to length and cutting in the screw to take the nut.
    — David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a constant threat cutting in from the left, and if Dembélé features, he will be given the freedom to drift and find pockets of space centrally.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Interrupting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interrupting. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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